Turnpike commission hikes tolls for 12th straight year — and will until 2044

Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls are set to go up, again.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on Tuesday approved a 6% hike for all customers, which will take effect Jan. 5.

The most common toll for passenger vehicles will rise from $1.40 to $1.50 for E-ZPass users and from $2.30 to $2.50 for cash customers.

Tolls on the Beaver Valley Expressway, Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass and Gateway tolling point on I-76 near the Ohio line will increase Oct. 27 instead of Jan. 5, according to the turnpike commission.

A 2020 trip calculator and toll schedule will be posted online this fall at paturnpike.com/toll/tollmileage.aspx.

The decision to raise rates was expected. This is the 12th consecutive annual toll increase. The commission is expected to continue to raise tolls every year until 2044.

Commission officials say the regular increases are necessary to pay mandatory contributions to PennDOT for non-turnpike transportation projects, and for turnpike maintenance and renovation.

The commission expects to bring in $1.4 billion in toll revenue next year, about half of which will go to paying off debts.

The commission is currently rebuilding about 11 miles of road, with another 82 miles in planning and design phases.